Ashikaga Yoshiakira

Ashikaga Yoshiakira (4 July 1330-28 December 1367) was Shogun of the Ashikaga Shogunate from 1358 to 1367, succeeding Ashikaga Takauji and preceding Ashikaga Yoshimitsu.

Biography
Yoshiakira was the oldest son of Ashikaga Takauji and Akahashi Toshi, and he spent his childhood in Kamakura as a hostage of the Hojo clan. When his father joined forces with Emperor Go-Daigo and overthrew the Kamakura Shogunate, Yoshiakira was freed and assisted Nitta Yoshisada in his attacks against the Kamakura. In 1349, he was called to Kyoto after an internal disturbance in the government, and he was named his father's heir. Yoshiakira was appointed Commissioner for Finance under his father, and he led Ashikaga forces during the Nanboku-cho period, campaigning against the Southern Court.